As 2020 draws to a close, the staff of The Meredith Herald would like to wish all of our readers happy holidays and a safe new year. Continue reading for messages from our staff, relating their wishes for 2021, hopes for the holiday season and favorite memories of 2020.
Olivia Slack, Co-Editor in Chief
Happy holidays, everyone! I’ve been so happy to serve as the Co-Editor in Chief of The Herald this year and get to know some of our readers through interviews and feedback. Being Co-Editor in Chief alongside Ell is surely one of my favorite memories of this year! In 2021, let’s hope for more social change, improvement in the pandemic and the creation of an environment where open-minded listening and learning is more widespread.
Elinor (Ell) Shelp-Peck, Co-Editor in Chief
I hope you are all well during this holiday season! Serving as Co-Editor in Chief this year has been a pleasure. I have loved getting to know our new staff and learning more about returning members. Spending the time collaborating with Olivia has been a constant, albeit wonderful, endeavor. In 2021, I hope to continue to grow as a Co-Editor in Chief and learn something new every day, going into each day with an open mind. Thank you to everyone who has helped make The Herald into what it is — I feel honored to serve as its custodian into 2021. Hopefully the coming year is filled with integrity, friendship, growth and thought-provoking conversations.
Ashley Hogan, Faculty Advisor
Happy holidays! This year has been challenging for everyone in our community, but the Herald editors and staff have done a phenomenal job covering important information, asking hard questions and keeping us all entertained. They have truly risen to the occasion and helped our community through a hard time, all the while reminding me why I love and admire Meredith students and the Meredith community so much. I hope all of us enjoy some quiet reflection and joyful moments over the next few weeks. We’ll be back in 2021 ready to take on whatever comes next! Sending love and peace to all our readers!
Molly Perry, Features Editor
Happy holidays, everyone! I have thoroughly enjoyed writing for The Herald this year, and it has been a pleasure to see how everyone on The Herald staff and in the Meredith community has grown and persevered through such trying times. I hope to continue providing our readers with quality articles and journalistic integrity as Features Editor in 2021. It is such an honor to step into this role. I am looking forward to all that we will learn and accomplish together in the new year!
Rachel Van Horne, News Editor
Happy holidays to all those celebrating! Your readership has encouraged me throughout the past year to pursue my goals and interests. When I joined The Herald as a freshman, I would have never expected the wonderful memories and opportunities that have been granted to me. My favorite memory from 2020 was becoming the News Editor, despite how different the role is due to our new online format! Becoming the News Editor this year has allowed me to develop new skills, as well as work closely with others on staff. In 2021, I hope to continue seeing The Herald and all of its staff continue to grow as a publication. May your holiday season be joyous and your New Year bring new, exciting articles to read!
Katelyn Wiszowaty, A&E Editor
Happy holidays to all of our Herald readers and the Meredith community. I appreciate all of the care and commitment The Herald staff has put into the publication this year, especially the dedication Olivia and Ell have shown — it has truly transformed The Herald into more than a news outlet. As we all celebrate this holiday season and transition into the new year, remember 2021 is not only what you make it, but what we make it together.
Hannah Porter, Opinion Editor
Happy holidays to you all! It has been an absolute honor to write for The Herald this year. 2020 was a challenging year to say the least, but I am grateful that writing opinion pieces has granted me the ability to find my voice and place in the world. I am thrilled to take on the role of Opinion Editor for 2021, and my hope is that I can use my role not only to encourage fellow writers to write about what they believe in, but also that our perspectives can ignite change in a society that so desperately needs it. For 2021, I hope for renewed connection, healing and joy.
Kaylee Haas, Staff Writer
I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday season! I know this year has been difficult, but we made it. I hope we can all find good things from this year and that we can create positivity for the next. Our reflection matters. Personally, writing for The Herald has been one of the best things I’ve done this year. I hope you all have found something you have enjoyed, too.
Aminah Jenkins, Staff Writer
Happy holidays! It has been a privilege to write about pop culture and beyond for The Herald. As exhausting as this year was, I’m grateful for the moments of joy and community we were able to witness. My hope for next year is that we continue to love and prioritize showing it to those who haven’t always had it. I’m so excited to see what 2021 holds (and to see the amazing content this staff will create)!
Jeanine Carryl, Staff Writer
What a year! I would’ve never imagined I would be writing for The Herald during a pandemic, fully virtual and during an election year. But with the support of my readers, I was able to get through it all. Writing for The Herald has definitely been an outlet and I was able to highlight an array of voices on campus. I can’t wait to write in the New Year. 新年快了！
Rae Hargis, Staff Writer
Happy holidays, everyone! It’s been such a stressful year for everyone and it’s finally coming to an end. This has by far not been easy, nor what I expected 2020 to look like, but I’m so happy with where it’s taken us! Writing for The Herald has been such a privilege and I can’t wait to continue into the new year. Here’s to a new year of new and unexpected adventures!